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The Philosophical Forum
Article . 2025 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY NC
Data sources: Crossref
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In Defense of Realism About Virtual Objects

Authors: Seong Soo Park;

In Defense of Realism About Virtual Objects

Abstract

ABSTRACTThis paper addresses the philosophical debate surrounding the ontological status of virtual objects. According to an influential anti‐realist view, virtual objects are merely fictional and therefore do not exist. My primary aim is to defend a realist view about virtual objects against this fictionalist anti‐realist view. I first challenge the anti‐realist view by comparing make‐believe games and virtual worlds. Then, I argue that although the debate between realists and anti‐realists about virtual objects may seem to reach a stalemate, a shared point of agreement can be used to break it. A key idea I seek to highlight is that there is no ontologically significant difference between colored objects and virtual objects. Lastly, I propose an error theory to address a potential worry with my view.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
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Average
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